Meaning of RANDOM in English

RANDOM

I. ˈrandəm, ˈraan- noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English randoun, raundon, random, from Middle French randon (as in de randon, a randon with impetuosity), from Old French, from randir to run, gallop, of Germanic origin; akin to German dialect (Bavarian & Alemannic) rand run, running, from stem of Old High German rinnan to run — more at run

1. obsolete : force , impetuosity

2. : a haphazard course : chance progress

3. obsolete

a. : the range of a gun or projectile

b. : the elevation given to a gun

4. : bank III 3b

•

- at random

II. adverb

: in a random manner : at random — usually used in combination

random -jointed

III. adjective

1. : lacking or seeming to lack a regular plan, purpose, or pattern

random thoughts laid hold of him — George Meredith

a random assortment of vases, ivory elephants and other … ornaments — Robert Shaplen

a random collection of literary and archeological odds and ends — Aldous Huxley

the clerks become tired and bored and start making random mistakes — Martin Gardner

a kitten's random play with a spool or ball

That which is haphazard is done according to chance or whim without regularity or order and with careless disregard for ultimate fitness or efficiency. hit-or-miss further stresses lack of aim, care, plan, or system

all his shop training had given him a profound prejudice against inexact work, experimental work, hit-or-miss work — C.S.Forester